STORES TO THWART BOY RACERS
Car park barriers and cones to be installed
NOISY boy racers making families’ lives a misery are set to be blocked from driving across a car park.
Furious neighbours complained to The Sentinel after being kept awake by revving engines, banging music and wheel spins on the car parks serving the Tesco and B&Q stores in Meir Park.
Stoke-on-trent City Council and Staffordshire Police have pledged to tackle the issue which occurs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Now B&Q is to install a permanent barrier to keep out the car enthusiasts and Tesco is deploying cones and legal notices to help police prosecute the rule breakers.
One of the affected residents said: “After several years of anti-social behaviour and reckless driving, especially over the last few months, we are very happy with the outcome B&Q has provided.
“Having a new barrier system will stop any vehicles gaining access outside of the store’s opening times.
“Tesco has also responded positively with new enforcement action commencing soon to eliminate the anti-social behaviour on its car park.
“This is also great news for the community and we thank Tesco for its help and support.
“Stoke-on-trent City Council and Staffordshire Police have also been extremely helpful and worked with the two stores to create the resolution.
“The increased police presence around Meir Park has made a huge impact on reducing the anti-social behaviour with section 59 notices being issued and even a vehicle seized.
“The efforts of the council have been a big help, in particular the efforts of Councillor Abi Brown.”
B&Q is set to install the barrier on November 2.
Its email states: “The car park barriers do get used. Unfortunately, wagons have damaged the barriers twice over the last couple of months resulting in us having to have the contractor come to our site to repair.
“After the latest damage we have asked the contractor to find a new solution to stop the constant repairs and the resulting anti-social behaviour. “The new barrier system will be installed on November 2 which will be a permanent solution. In the meantime we have a local solution. This will put a permanent stop to any more meetings.”
A Tesco spokesman said: “We are aware of the anti-social behaviour in the car park and are sorry it’s affecting the local community. We are working closely with the council and the police to look at ways to deter it. This includes enforcement notices and the partial closure of the car park overnight.”